OPT Motion Designer Jobs
Motion Designer jobs on OPT are available across advertising agencies, streaming platforms, tech companies, and in-house creative teams. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT work authorization, provided your degree is in motion graphics, animation, visual communication, or a related design field. STEM OPT extension doesn't apply to this role.
Find OPT Motion Designer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 25+ Motion Designer jobs
See all Motion Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Motion Designer roles.
Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, a trailblazer in space robotics, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a sustainable presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are seeking a talented, experienced Task and Motion Planning Engineer.
As a Task and Motion Planning Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge decision making and planning systems for our lunar rovers and orbital assets. Working at the intersection of autonomy, robotics, and space exploration, you will design, develop, and implement sophisticated software solutions that enable coordination of cross-domain autonomous systems. Your work will not only contribute to groundbreaking missions but also to technologies that have the potential to benefit humanity on Earth. Collaborating with cross-disciplinary engineering teams, you will help drive the integration of these systems into a unified, state-of-the-art autonomy stack, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration.
Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Pegasus LTV, which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the design and development of decentralized decision-making algorithms for lunar rovers and orbital assets
- Develop and implement robust software capable of enabling autonomous operations in challenging lunar environments
- Collaborate with systems, mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to integrate and optimize autonomy software with asset hardware
- Utilize simulation techniques to improve autonomous system performance and reliability under various conditions in space
- Conduct field tests and simulations to validate and refine algorithms and software systems
- Ensure software systems adhere to industry standards for safety, reliability, and performance in space exploration contexts
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including ICDs and verification plans
- Participate in design reviews, trade studies, and technical risk assessments
- Stay at the forefront of autonomy and robotics technology, incorporating the latest advancements into our projects
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Robotics Engineering, or related field
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in developing autonomy software for autonomous systems, with a proven track record in navigation, perception, or belief space planning. Applicants should have expertise in at least one of the following areas:
- Methods for solving Markov decision processes (e.g., value iterate, Monte Carlo tree search, reinforcement learning)
- Coordinated planning and control of multi-agent systems
- Motion planning methods (e.g., A*, FMM, RRT)
- Belief space planning (e.g., BRM, RRBT)
- Tasking and scheduling
- Orbital planning and control algorithms
- Expertise in programming languages such as C++, Python, and familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System)
- Comfortable working in research-oriented, agile, and interdisciplinary teams
- Track record of innovation in networking, robotics, or space systems, as demonstrated by patents, publications, or significant project achievements
- Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and collaborate across various engineering disciplines
- U.S. Citizen
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- M.S. or Ph.D. in a field relevant to autonomy or robotics directly applicable to autonomous navigation and guidance
- Experience with autonomous systems in space, or other extreme, unstructured, environments
- Familiarity with space operating systems (e.g., VxWorks) and software (e.g., cFS)
- Familiarity with containers (e.g., Docker) and virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox)
- Experience with the end-to-end development and deployment of network software systems in space exploration missions
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.
- Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
- Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
- Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
- Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays
- Parental leave
- Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development
Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.
INTRODUCTION
Are you passionate about shaping the future of humanity's presence in space? Lunar Outpost, a trailblazer in space robotics, invites you to join our team! Lunar Outpost is dedicated to creating a sustainable presence in space, while also driving positive impacts here on Earth. We are seeking a talented, experienced Task and Motion Planning Engineer.
As a Task and Motion Planning Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge decision making and planning systems for our lunar rovers and orbital assets. Working at the intersection of autonomy, robotics, and space exploration, you will design, develop, and implement sophisticated software solutions that enable coordination of cross-domain autonomous systems. Your work will not only contribute to groundbreaking missions but also to technologies that have the potential to benefit humanity on Earth. Collaborating with cross-disciplinary engineering teams, you will help drive the integration of these systems into a unified, state-of-the-art autonomy stack, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration.
Take the #NextLeap with Lunar Outpost and work on the Pegasus LTV, which will carry NASA astronauts farther than they've ever been before on the lunar surface!
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead the design and development of decentralized decision-making algorithms for lunar rovers and orbital assets
- Develop and implement robust software capable of enabling autonomous operations in challenging lunar environments
- Collaborate with systems, mechanical, electrical, and thermal engineering teams to integrate and optimize autonomy software with asset hardware
- Utilize simulation techniques to improve autonomous system performance and reliability under various conditions in space
- Conduct field tests and simulations to validate and refine algorithms and software systems
- Ensure software systems adhere to industry standards for safety, reliability, and performance in space exploration contexts
- Develop and maintain technical documentation, including ICDs and verification plans
- Participate in design reviews, trade studies, and technical risk assessments
- Stay at the forefront of autonomy and robotics technology, incorporating the latest advancements into our projects
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Robotics Engineering, or related field
- At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in developing autonomy software for autonomous systems, with a proven track record in navigation, perception, or belief space planning. Applicants should have expertise in at least one of the following areas:
- Methods for solving Markov decision processes (e.g., value iterate, Monte Carlo tree search, reinforcement learning)
- Coordinated planning and control of multi-agent systems
- Motion planning methods (e.g., A*, FMM, RRT)
- Belief space planning (e.g., BRM, RRBT)
- Tasking and scheduling
- Orbital planning and control algorithms
- Expertise in programming languages such as C++, Python, and familiarity with ROS (Robot Operating System)
- Comfortable working in research-oriented, agile, and interdisciplinary teams
- Track record of innovation in networking, robotics, or space systems, as demonstrated by patents, publications, or significant project achievements
- Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts and collaborate across various engineering disciplines
- U.S. Citizen
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- M.S. or Ph.D. in a field relevant to autonomy or robotics directly applicable to autonomous navigation and guidance
- Experience with autonomous systems in space, or other extreme, unstructured, environments
- Familiarity with space operating systems (e.g., VxWorks) and software (e.g., cFS)
- Familiarity with containers (e.g., Docker) and virtualization software (e.g., VirtualBox)
- Experience with the end-to-end development and deployment of network software systems in space exploration missions
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:
Compensation level and base salary are competitively structured and thoughtfully determined based on factors such as relevant skills, experience, education, and the scope of the role.
- Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision benefits, with 70% of premiums covered by the employer
- Paid time off: Three (3) weeks per year of vacation
- Retirement plan: Up to 4% employer match on 401(k) contributions
- Paid holidays: 11 company-recognized holidays
- Parental leave
- Educational reimbursement opportunities to support company objectives, continued learning, and career development
Lunar Outpost Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Lunar Outpost Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employees, including executives and human resources personnel, are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with this policy.
See all OPT Motion Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Motion Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship as a Motion Designer
Lead with your degree field upfront
Motion Designer roles qualify for OPT when your degree is in animation, graphic design, or visual communication. State your degree field clearly in your resume summary so hiring managers immediately understand your work authorization is tied to a relevant specialty occupation.
Target studios with established international hiring
Larger production studios, streaming platforms, and advertising agencies have HR teams experienced with OPT paperwork. Smaller freelance-focused shops often lack the infrastructure to handle work authorization documentation, making them a riskier target when your OPT timeline is limited.
Build a portfolio that demonstrates professional-level output
Employers weighing OPT sponsorship risk need confidence you're ready to contribute immediately. A reel showing broadcast-quality motion work, client projects, or internship deliverables reduces hesitation far more effectively than academic or personal projects alone.
Clarify your OPT end date before interviews progress
Motion Designer roles often have long hiring pipelines. Know your exact OPT expiration and 60-day grace period dates. Raising this early prevents late-stage surprises and signals professionalism, giving employers time to prepare any necessary documentation.
Emphasize software fluency employers actually care about
Proficiency in After Effects, Cinema 4D, and Adobe Creative Suite signals readiness without ramp-up time. Employers sponsoring OPT workers want immediate productivity, so listing specific tools and the project types you've used them for strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Research which employers have sponsored OPT or H-1B before
Companies that have previously sponsored work visas are far more likely to do it again. Use Migrate Mate to filter Motion Designer roles by OPT sponsorship history, so you're spending your application energy on employers already comfortable with the process.
Motion Designer OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Do Motion Designer jobs qualify for F-1 OPT work authorization?
Yes, Motion Designer roles generally qualify for F-1 OPT provided your degree is in a directly related field such as motion graphics, animation, graphic design, or visual communication. USCIS evaluates whether the job requires a degree in a specific specialty, and most professional Motion Designer positions at agencies or studios meet that standard.
Am I eligible for a STEM OPT extension as a Motion Designer?
Most Motion Designer roles do not qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension because animation and graphic design degrees are not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List. If your degree is in a STEM-classified field such as computer science or digital media technology, check with your DSO whether your specific CIP code qualifies before assuming eligibility.
How do I explain my OPT status to a Motion Design employer who has never hired international students before?
Keep it simple: explain that OPT is a federal work authorization program for F-1 graduates that permits full-time employment in your field of study, requires no employer sponsorship to begin, and involves minimal paperwork from their side. Providing a one-page OPT overview document for HR and noting your authorized period dates helps employers who are unfamiliar with the process feel more comfortable moving forward.
Where can I find Motion Designer jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate lists Motion Designer roles specifically filtered for OPT-eligible candidates, so you're not wasting time on postings that require permanent work authorization. Browsing Migrate Mate lets you focus on employers with a demonstrated history of hiring international students, which significantly improves your chances of converting an offer into a visa sponsorship pathway later.
Can I work as a freelance Motion Designer on OPT?
Yes, self-employment is permitted under standard OPT as long as the work is directly related to your degree field. You would need to establish a legitimate business entity. However, freelance work does not count toward accruing experience for STEM OPT extension purposes, and you must track your employment carefully to avoid exceeding the 90-day unemployment limit during your OPT period.